AUSTRALIAN STRIKES

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2836, 16 September 1890, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN STRIKES

EMPLOYERS' MANIFESTO. REPLY BY LABOUR PARTY. (lIV KLECTKIO TKLKCRAI'It — (JOI'VKICUT.) Syiinky, September 13. Tub employers have issued a manifesto which says that it is lit and proper that their lepresentatives should express sincere regret that owing to the unreasonable and antagonistic attitude assumed by labour, atf d rected by leaders of the Unions a strike so f.ir-reaehing in its effects, and of so severe a character, should exist, but it is nevertheless their duty to assert that the causes leading to the strike cannot in the remotest degree bo traced to any action of the employers.

After traversing the causes of the strike, the manifesto goes on to say that in the rules of the Trades Unions, it is sought by stringent regulations to secure a monopoly of work, and limit membership, and that this is not only an injustice to a large amount of labour outside their ranks, but contributes to an undue interference loy labour organisations with trade in the colonies. The tactics adopted deserve, in their opinion, severe condemnation. Foremost of these is the unjust combination of various Unions to boycott trade so as to enforce the demands of any particular Union concerned and also the edicts which are being i.-sued by them that the produce ol these colonies —viz., coal and other minerals, wool, wheat, and other products from Inn» — must not be carried or shipped if, at any period of their production or transit, labour outside of any trade organisation had been employed. A* to internal trade, efforts are made to prevent supplies of raw materials to manufactories employing free labour, and in the disposal of manufactured articles every opposition is given to legitimate business. It is still more extraordinary that the necessaries of life are in some instances refused to those who withold their compliance with the demands of Trades Unions.

liy intimidation, as practised by trade Unionists, free labourers are prevented by acts of personal violence from following their lawful occupation. In order to enforce the edicts already mentioned, members 1 f labour Unions, whether directly or indirectly concerned or not, are compelled by the leaders to leave their employment, frequently contrary to their own desire, and with a disregard to legal obligations. The eiup'oyeis, in the course of their trade, have al-io to c >ritend with the fact that labour Unions ignore the agreements made by them til their corporate capacity with employers, if it suits the purpose of the 111 iment to repudiate them. The incidents which have occurred during the present strike give abundant proof of the correctness of this assertion. For instance, the agreement lately made by the wharf labourers of Sydney was openly violated within a few days of its comp'etion.

The present strike, the manifesto says, was forced on the employers, In opposing it passive resistance only was offered, and while employers endeavoured to conduct thair businesses by the aid of free labour, they line not sought in any way to assail Unionism, tilth nigh they have striven t.i counteract its abuses, The proceedings at the conference set forth the foiluu-ing|re-o]otioiis : — " That this c inference re-.dlirms the freedom of contract, and its intention to resist intimidation awl boycotting by united action, and declines to be coerced into dismissing any labour taken inti its service duringthe present emergency ; and that it. will take all possible means to ensure personal safety, intercs'.s, and discipline, and protrci >n of life anil propeity." "I'll it this conference shall engage not to retain iti its employ owners, otptaius, or members of Unions who are atti.iated to any ot the various labour organisations." "That with a view of the extension of the various employers' Unions, it is desirable to encourage the employers in unall trades to fnrm,Uuinus, tho latter, in turn, to form Federal Councils in each colony ; all such Councils to federate." "That the Conference desires a speedy tirm'natiou of the present unsatisfactory state of affairs, in order to facilitate the resumption of trade." Kmployers are also urged to proclaim, as soon as possible, the terms 011 their engagements were made. The representatives of the men on strike state that they are perfectly willing to meet the employers, and are fully prepared to forego a portion of their demands, but say it is absolutely necessary that tho owners agree to the fundamental principle of unionism, that only Union men shall be employed, and that the OHicers Association shall he allowed to use their own discretion as to the advisableness of affiliating with the labour bodies. The Committee were unable to agree on the question of noil-Union shearers, but it is understood that if employers will consent to recognise Trade Unionism in its entirety, the members of the Unions aro prepared to sign an agreement that no further demands will be trade for a long period.

The liabour Defence Committee arc considering the manifesto recently issued by the employers. Mr Davis, of the Seamen's Union, states that the manifesto shows clearly that the prime object of the etnnloyers is to crush Trades Unionism in all its forms. The total contiibntions to tho strikers' lund so f:ir amounts to KyiOO. September 11. The Ijtbour Defence Committee has called out tho trolly and draymen, and it is expected that fully 1000 will be on atrikc to-morrow. Th" men had decided in their own account to demand that their wages should be from -lO.s to 15s per week, according to tho number of horses they drove, and that twelve hours be a day's woik. They also stipulated that meal hours were to be included in the twelve hours, and that they should knock-off at three o'clock on Satunlay afternoons. The Broken Hill miners and owners will hold a conference in Melbourne at an early date, and as the strike is the outcome of the Maiitim: difficulty, it is understood that representatives from both sides from all parts of the colonics interested will be invited to attend, with the view of arranging a general settlement of the labour struggle. September 1">. The recent Employers' Conference and individual owners regret the letter proposing tho meeting was not sent before the Intercolonial Employers' Conference had its sittings. The Sydney employes are unable therefore to appoint a delegation to represent the whole of the employers. The Libonr Defence Committee has issued a lengthy manifesto in reply to the owners. The following briefly is the st atement :— This C inference agrees to the principle of freedom of contract between employers and employees, but holds that combination is absolutely necessary in the best interests of the peoplo and that Trades Unions being legal institutions if e entitled to recognition by till classes; the basis of Unionism being a voluntary one, it is against our principles to use coercion of any kind, and we therefore use moral suasion only; we claim that every workman should havu freedom to join any organisation he may have, and we deny that employers have any right to use any influence other than moral suasion to pre vent his doing so. The Conference claims it is absolutely necessary in the interests of the working classes that they shall have the right to refuse to work when the conditions tindei which they are asked to continue arc such as to bo detrimental to their interests. The Conference is heartily in accord with tho general principles contained in the proposals of the Employers' Conference regarding the affiliation of employers, and on similar grounds claims for the workers absolute freedom to affiliate with their various organisations. N uwuastle, September 14.

Owing to free labour working the cranes, the .Jubilee and other Union steamers havo had to load coal in wheelbarrows and baskets. Nineteen of the crew of the steamer Santon have been arrested for refusing to shovel a small quantity of coal from the top of the hatchways, so that the hatches might be put on. London, September Hi. The provinces, in response to the appeal from the London dockers, have forwarded KIOO in aid of the Australian strikers. The National Coalporters Union will forward £100 a week.